Our new home/explanation for our exhaustion:

A day before this last break, we moved into a new apartment. We loved our place at SeaLofts, but decided that it was more important to be all on one level. We found a great apartment in a community just two down (and even closer to the pizza place, which is always a good thing!). The only problem is that since we moved in, Beau has been sleeping in a Big Boy Bed. This would never have happened under the age of 2 if we had a normal crib for him. But given that our choices were between a queen size bed and continuing for another year in a pack n' play, which, according to some (Cody Doyle) was borderline child abuse, we went with the queen. The unfortunate result is that Andrew and I have switched off being on-call every single night since we moved here. At any moment in the night, our child can call out to us to lie down in his bed (he says "down, Mommy"). And no, he won't go back to sleep without us laying down. And yes, he will climb right out of his bed if we refuse to go to his room.

RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE???!!!

(Beau's room)

Loving our new place. Hating Beau's Big Boy Bed! Feeling very tired... all the time!!

("Our" room)

(Kitchen)

(Living room -- feast your eyes on these funkayyy couches! OISK!)

The month of Kristen

(It says "Bitch," not "Bitk.")

I have spent the last month celebrating my friend, Kristen's birthday, why not make it a little longer by writing a blog post about it:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kristen!

I'm really going to miss you after April! Maybe Shawn should transfer to Windsor?

FAMILY & FRIENDS

You know you need to update your blog when your father, who just learned what a blog is, tells you you need to update it!

Well, there's lots to update:
Our friends, Abby, Zach and Sophie Smith, and Brooke, Eric and Lilly Workman came down to visit us here in St. Kitts at the beginning of Andrew's second to last December break! In between constant nap times, 4 1/2 cases of a stomach bug and the flu, we managed to have a really good time. We had some awesome meals (especially at Shiggidy Shack), and lots of fun in de sun. When the kids hit the sand, it was like "Babies Gone Wild" -- they were rolling around in it, pouring it over their heads and tasting it here and there. We were so happy to be able to share Lilly and Sophie's first Caribbean experience!

Then Etta came to visit, and we felt like we were back on orientation-- but without the crazy taxi driver, with everything paid for, and without the nervous feeling of "what the Hell have we gotten ourselves into." We took advantage of the "cool" (78 degree) weather, and toured some of the nice tourist spots. It was such a treat to be acting like vacationers-- dining out a lot, trying out every beach and buying some of the local goods. This is New Year's Eve. Happy 2011!
Brimstone Hill - old English fort.Ottley's Plantation for tea time.Reggae Beach.Granny and Beau chillaxing at Shipwreck.

We also spectated at Carnivale. (I purposefully used the word spectated, because unless I was drinking for 24 hours, like the other people who took part in Carnivale, there was no way in Hell I would've gotten down and dirty-- and I mean dirty-- with them!) It looked like a lot of fun, but what can I say? I'm not into grinding with every Kittitian in a long, endless procession of the most repetetive Reggaeton/Soca you've ever heard. Fine, I admit it -- I downloaded their 2011 Carnivale song.

It was a lot of fun to see.

Etta was here right until school started up again, so she really got to see us in our relaxation mode, and then back in our work/school mode. I'm glad she got to see both, because after our week of lounging at the beach, and sipping pina coladas, she may not have believed me when I said that we both work hard here! She also watched Beau after school his first three days, which helped a lot with the transition back to school. But he's totally back into it now, and is loving playing with all of his little friends there-- Isaiah, Marco, Patricio, Damon, Briley, Braydon... He's also back with his daytime Mommy -- Ms. Alem. She's Beau's favorite teacher, and one of the coolest people we've met in St. Kitts. I think that Beau looks forward to school solely because it gives him more time to be with her! We're so sad that she'll be leaving at the end of April, when her husband finishes medical school down here. :( But we're so thankful that Beau has someone he loves so much in his life every day when we're not around.

A few days after Etta left, after weathering a terrible blizzard in New York, and having a (cough-cough) "rough" staying at Leslie and Mickey's awesome apartment in Miami, being treated to drinks at The Delano, and a delicious dinner, Abbey and Perkins came to visit. They had one truly beautiful, sunny week here. We had a few days all together, but mostly Andrew, Beau and I were in school and work during the days while they had long, relaxing days on the beach. But at night, Abbey (AKA - Abba) and Perkins (AKA - Puppy) -- according to Beau, were on Beau-duty. They kept Beau entertained, stacking blocks, crashing cars, making ridiculous sounds and faces, and otherwise cracking him up, from the minute we got home, until bedtime each night. It was awesome for all of us to be together.




Perkins took this beautiful picture of Abbey, and it was only fitting to post it on my blog, since it was her self-proclaimed "best pictures she's ever taken." Well done, Perkins!
We enjoyed styling Beau's hair in the bathtub. This never gets old!
But right after Abbey and Perkins left, something terrible happened. It was probably the worst thing that has ever happened to Beau -- Hippo vanished!!! Hippo was Beau's absolute favorite doll, who he slept with for the last 19 months of his life. He was a gift from Sasha, and Beau fell in love with him. He would ask for him by name (or "Appo"), and hold him when he was upset, or drinking milk, or going to bed. He also sucked on his tail, which was a pretty gross habit. Oh-- and did I mention that "Angel Dear," the manufacturer, stopped making these?? I'm not pointing fingers, but Abbey did love the way Hippo's stringy, saliva/milk-soaked tail smelled. I'm just saying.

Anyway, here's one of our last pictures of Hippo. Unless he shows up the day we're packing up to leave St. Kitts, R.I.P. Hippo!
With all of our visitors here, it was pretty hectic, and I practically slept for two days straight when they all left, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. We don't get to be around the people we love all the time anymore, and when we are, we have to be in over-drive, just to pack all of the fun, and love in.

Thanks to everyone who came down to visit us! Life wouldn't be the same without all of you!

As I'm about to post this blog, I realize that I can't possibly post it without saying what's been on my mind non-stop lately: MY SISTER, LINDSAY IS HAVING A BABY IN 6 DAYS!!! I am so froykin' excited for this monumental occasion.

Check back soon for pictures!

[WARNING: Adult or rather, Baby Content]

This wasn't his first time pooping on the toilet, but it was the first time we were able to document it! I think these pictures speak for themselves.


WARNING: don't scroll down if you can't handle, or would rather not view graphic images!

The exaggerated excitement upon completion.

The wipe.
A thorough examination of the goods.

The reward: getting to flush by himself.
The proud mama!

Beau's new goof face!

Squint your eyes and stick out your two front teeth. That's Beau's new face. Where did it come from, you may ask? I have no idea! What a dork!

Pool Days

Here on St. Kitts, a bunch of the moms and I get together every Thursday with the kids for some fun in de sun. We go swimming together at one of the pools in the area. When I got here in January, some of the ex-pat moms were getting together, but only a few people showed up, but now even non-moms show up because we're just that much fun to hang out with!!! The group includes Ross spouses and UMHS (one of the medical schools) spouses.

How can you look so sad with so many hats on your head?

Poor Beau was under the weather for over a week. He felt pretty miserable, despite having every hat he owns on his head, and an awesome pimpin' terry cloth robe on.

Abbey's Visit - Part Deux

Abbey visited our little island in the sun for a week in September. As always, we loved having her here. She arrived on my (and Diana's) birthday, and we did some birthday bingo with Kristen, Janae and Kori. With all of the birthday luck around her, Kori won the jackpot!!! I guess it isn't rigged for Kittitians to win like I previously thought!It was so nice to bring Abbey back to all of the places I've discovered since her first visit here in January! We went to Gong Beach, the fruit market near port, Ballast Bay for snorkeling, Fisherman's Wharf and Pride of India - Thursday night buffet. She also got to do some "Yoga with Jessie" at the Ross gym.

We also went to some old favs-- like Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack.

Abbey made friends with little kids and puppies.

And of course, no trip to St. Kitts is complete without a night of fist-pumping and tree-swinging at Ziggy's. Here we are with Shawn and Kristen, pumpin' it up!

Maybe I should explain this last picture... better yet, maybe I shouldn't. $5 EC if you want swing tree. Only $5 EC!!

Third Semester

After an EXCELLENT trip to California over our August/September break, where we saw Granny Etta, the Sagers and all of the California cousins, Andrew's third semester at Ross is underway. It's strange to be less than half-way done, and feel like there's so much more time to go, while knowing that next semester we'll be half-way done, which sounds like there's not much time at all left. I guess it's just unusual to be somewhere temporarily, with a specific ending date.

Beau is growing and learning so much lately. He cracks us up with the way he's learning to "talk." I know it seems ridiculous to list the words that he says because he says new words every single day, but for some reason I feel like stopping time and listing them here. Otherwise, I'll never do it! Here is Beau's vocabulary. Some of them have only been uttered once, and he won't repeat them, but THAT COUNTS!

Here are the regulars:

Mama, Dada, Up, Down, Ball, Hello, Hi, Bye Bye, Uh-oh, Bubble, Pool, Flower, Bird, Meow, Cat, Moo, Woof, Bah Bah, Ooh Eeh (Monkey Sound), Car, Bath, Purple, Blue, Yellow,

Here are the one-timer/shockers:

Patricio (who is his classmate... Andrew and I didn't hear it ourselves, but it was alleged by his teacher at daycare, and Beau's third favorite person in St. Kitts, Alem), Backpack, Diaper, Outside, Bathroom, Belly button,

He may only say these words, but he understands EVERYTHING I say! I'll tell him to go get his bubbles, and he'll walk right over to the closet where we keep them. Also, Andrew and I send him back and forth on "errands." Like, "go bring Mommy this cup." And he does it! He's like our little house elf.

He is also growing so much developmentally. Any time he hears music he starts shakin' that thang! He loves walking up and down stairs on his own, and looking underneath things.

I also took a giant step for me today by FINALLY buying a fresh fish here... and hacking off the head all by myself! I have been wanting to buy fresh (and refrigerated) fish on this freakin' ISLAND for the nine months that I've lived here, and finally found a good place today. The Basseterre Fishery Complex on Bay Road has really nice looking fish. I got a 2.5 lb Red Snapper for $37 EC (about $15 US). After I dramatically hacked off the head and tail, I cut it in half and seasoned it with butter, dijon mustard, fresh Thai basil from our plant, parmesan cheese and a little Kosher salt and pepper. Tonight we're going to BBQ it. I hope it comes out as good as it tastes in my head!

As I am writing this, our electricity just turned off! Oh the joys of living in St. Kitts! At least I know that my gas grill will work tonight!

Second Semester

Second semester, out of seven, is almost over, and despite being a tough one for Andrew (frequent tests, late classes, dog walking obligations, etc.) it's been a great one. Recently I realized something about first semester (or rather, the first period of time living on this island) -- you don't know squat! I really underestimated how much more knowledgeable I'd feel returning to the island, and how much better that would make me feel about living here. I came back here knowing what to expect in terms of keeping myself busy, getting things accomplished and taking time to relax and really enjoy where I'm living.

I have been keeping busy teaching yoga at the school gym three days a week, which has the added bonus of getting me in really good shape. I have met a lot of great people in the process, like professor's spouses, more student's spouses and the other regular gym-goers. I've also enrolled Beau in the daycare program at the Ross Preperatory School a few days a week, which gives me time to do all of the things that Beau doesn't find so fun -- cleaning my place, food shopping and laundry. Beau LOVES his school, and especially his one teacher, a.k.a., his Black Mommy. :) I have also made a lot more plans for myself with the other mothers and their kids, and the other VIPs (student/professor spouse group). Even if it's just to hang out by a pool or go to a local beach, activities like this make my life here so much richer.

I knew I liked St. Kitts, but this semester I have really started to love it here. Of course, anything that is worth loving can be worthy of hating at times, and I still get frustrated by the limited selection at the grocery store and the over-priced goods. But I really feel a bond with the island and even the people -- the cool, aloof until you break the ice Kittitians -- which makes me feel like I'm on the "right" track in life.

Here are some recent photos showing our life down here:

This was taken on Beau's 1st birthday -- June 7th. We went to school in the morning to celebrate with all of the kids. Then we had a nice lunch with Daddy-o.

I made my first attempt at baking homemade cupcakes for Beau's class to celebrate his birthday. That night, after dinner, we let Beau feed one to himself. Apparently it's a tradition to let your 1 year old feed himself dessert. This tradition was definitely worth trying! Obviously I'm too much of a neat freak to let him do this clothed. I think I already had the bath filling when we took this picture!

Beau had an incredibly unique experience of meeting a leatherback sea turtle that had just hatched. The students and other residents here make a big effort to preserve these endangered animals by monitering the eggs and protecting them from birds and other predators the day they are born by releasing them at night to crawl into the water. They are beautiful creatures, and without knowing exactly what was happening, I think Beau understood what a rare experience this was!

As you can see, Beau is still loving the water! When we go to the beach, he crawls head-first towards the waves!

In June we went to Beaumont Park, the horse racing track in St. Kitts. Beau loved seeing the horses race by. He can't say many words yet, but he "neighs" just like a horse surprisingly well!

And our biggest update is that Beau has learned how to walk!! Since second semester began, Beau has been practicing his walking skills with the little walker that his Aunt Stacey gave him in the picture below. We would bring him out to walk by the "Seawall," which is a little lounge area in front of the ocean that borders our community, every day. He was getting really good at it. On July 1st, one day before Andrew's birthday, I noticed that Beau was standing in place without holding onto anything. When Andrew got home from class, I said, "look at Beau's new trick!" Andrew, being the genius that he is, pointed out that if he could stand on his own, maybe he could walk on his own. So we tried sitting a few feet apart and sending Beau back and forth between us. Lo and behold, he did it!!

On July10th, at our friend's pool party, Beau stood himself up on his own, and began walking. We have decided that July 10, 2010 is the official day that Beau became a bipedal. Congratulations, Beau!